Anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for coal mine floor

ABSTRACT

An anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for a coal mine floor and methods thereof are provided. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod includes a hollow drill pipe and a hollow sleeve configured inside the hollow drill pipe. A front joint is configured at a front end of the hollow drill pipe. A back joint is configured at a back end of the hollow drill pipe. The hollow sleeve is wound with a spiral connection line in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod during drilling. A spiral-shaped space is formed between the spiral connection line and an inner chamber of the hollow drill pipe.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/072184, filed on Feb. 18, 2014, which claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 201310319386.8, filed on Jul. 26, 2013, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to the technical field of anchoring apparatus and, more particularly, relates to an anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for coal mine floors which is convenient for cleaning and operation.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, rapid development of economic constructions has brought a huge demand for energy. Coal is a major resource for energy supply, and the coal industry is developing toward mechanization and automation. Because of coal rock properties, depth of the coal mine, underground stress and other reasons, the roadway floor in a coal mine may be severely damaged, which affects safe usage of roadways and undermines production safety. Thus, reinforcing roadway floors and fixing damages are important tasks.

Existing method for floor reinforcement in coal mines mainly includes using rock bolts for anchoring and support. Currently, there is rare research about anchoring equipment specifically designed for roadway floors in a coal mine. A typical anchoring equipment may be applied together with a wet-type drilling method. High-pressure water from an established water source may be directly injected to an inner pipe of a rotating hollow bolt, forming a mud-water mixture which gets pushed out through the gap between the rock bolt and the coalbed (or the rock layer).

When implementing the wet-type drilling method on a floor in a coal mine, several technical problems exist. The extruded mud-water mixture may be flying around with the bolt movement and cannot be collected. This may affect regular transportation in the roadway and affect people walking in the roadway. Further, using a traditional drilling method is likely to cause clogging at the end hole of the hollow bolt in the middle of a drilling process. When clogging happens, the drill needs to be pulled back and the hollow bolt needs to be cleaned, which are very tedious and cumbersome tasks. These tasks may severely affect the construction efficiency of the floor reinforcement project. Moreover, coal powder or rock powder may enter the roadway during the drilling process, which increases the difficulties in roadway dust control and may harm the health of the workers.

Thus, there is a need to provide an anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for roadway floors that is safe and easy to install and clean, and it has important value to coal production.

The disclosed method and system are directed to solve one or more problems set forth above and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of present disclosure provides an anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for a coal mine floor. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod includes a hollow drill pipe and a hollow sleeve configured inside the hollow drill pipe. A front joint is configured at a front end of the hollow drill pipe, a back joint is configured at a back end of the hollow drill pipe, the hollow sleeve is wound with a spiral connection line in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod during drilling, and a spiral-shaped space is formed between the spiral connection line and an inner chamber of the hollow drill pipe.

Optionally, a waterproof insertion slot is configured at a back end of the hollow sleeve for connecting a connector or the hollow sleeve of another anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod.

Optionally, the front joint is compatible with the back joint for connecting two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods in a head-to-tail.

Optionally, the front joint is configured as a bolt with threads on an outer surface; and the back joint is configured as a bolt hole with threads in an inner wall.

Optionally, the hollow drill pipe further includes: a first wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the front joint; and a second wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the back joint.

Optionally, an outer surface of the wrench-compatible segments has a prism shape or a cuboid shape.

Another aspect of present disclosure provides a method for using an anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for a coal mine floor. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod is configured to include a hollow drill pipe and a hollow sleeve configured inside the hollow drill pipe. A back joint at a back end of the hollow drill pipe is connected with a drill machine. A front joint at a front end of the hollow drill pipe is connected with a drill head. The hollow sleeve is connected with a pump.

Pressured clean water is injected to an empty space between the hollow drill pipe and the hollow sleeve. The hollow sleeve is configured such that the clean water follows along a spiral connection line wound around an outer surface of the hollow sleeve and is transported to the drill head for cleaning. Dirty water is pumped from the drill head through the hollow sleeve for waste discharge.

Optionally, a waterproof insertion slot is configured at a back end of the hollow sleeve for connecting to the pump or the hollow sleeve of another anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod.

Optionally, the step of installing the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod further includes connecting two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods in a head-to-tail manner by connecting the front joint with the back joint.

Optionally, the front joint is configured as a bolt with threads on an outer surface; and the back joint is configured as a bolt hole with threads in an inner wall.

Optionally, the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod is tightened with a wrench using a first wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the front joint; or the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod is tightened with a wrench using a second wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the back joint.

Optionally, an outer surface of the wrench-compatible segments has a prism shape or a cuboid shape.

Other aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative purposes according to various disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a structural diagram of an exemplary anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod (or rock bolt) consistent with the disclosed embodiments; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a structural diagram of an exemplary hollow sleeve consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, embodiments consistent with the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is apparent that the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosed embodiments, persons of ordinary skill in the art may derive other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.

The present disclosure provides an exemplary anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for coal mine floors. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod 100 may include a hollow drill pipe 1 and a hollow sleeve 2. The hollow sleeve 2 may be configured inside the hollow drill pipe 1. In other words, the diameter of the hollow sleeve 2 is less than the hollow drill pipe 1. In some embodiments, the hollow drill pipe 1 and the hollow sleeve 2 may be concentrically configured.

The front end of the hollow drill pipe 1 may be configured as a front joint 5. The back end of the hollow drill pipe 1 may be configured as a back joint 6. The front joint 5 may be compatible with the back joint 6, such that two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods may be connected in a manner of head-to-tail. In this way, the length of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod 100 may be extended and fit various requirements for drilling depth. Further, the back joint 6 may be compatibly installed with a drill machine. The front joint 5 may be compatibly installed with a drill head.

In one embodiment, the front joint 5 may function as a bolt with threads configured on the outer surface. The back joint 6 may function as a bolt hole with threads configured in the inner wall. Thus, the threaded front joint 5 of a first anchoring and requirements drill rod may be screwed into the threaded back joint 6 of a second anchoring and requirements drill rod.

Further, a wrench-compatible segment 3 of the hollow drill pipe 1 may be configured at the location connecting the front joint 5 and the location connecting the back joint 6, respectively. In other words, a first wrench-compatible segment may be configured at a location connecting the front joint; and a second wrench-compatible segment may be configured at a location connecting the back joint. The shape of the outer surface of the wrench-compatible segment 3 may facilitate to seat a wrench for performing a tighten or unscrew operation. The outer surface of the wrench-compatible segment 3 may have a prism shape or a cuboid shape.

The hollow sleeve 2 may be wound with a spiral connection thread 4. The spiral direction of the connection thread 4 may be the opposite of the drilling direction of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod 100. Spiral gaps may form between the connection thread 4 and the inner chamber of the hollow drill pipe 1. The end of the hollow sleeve 2 may be configured with a waterproof insertion slot 7. A connector compatible with a pump may be inserted to the waterproof insertion slot 7, such that the fluid inside the hollow sleeve 2 may be lead out through the pump. Further, when connecting two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods, the hollow sleeve 2 of a first anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may be inserted into the waterproof insertion slot 7 of a second anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod.

During operation, the hollow drill pipe 1 may be connected with a drill machine and a drill head. The drill machine may drive the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod 100 through the connected back joint 6. In some embodiments, the hollow sleeve 2 of a first anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may be inserted to the waterproof slot 7 of a second anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod. A wrench may be attached to the wrench slot 3 to tighten the joints connecting the two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods. Thus, two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods may be connected at respective endings, such that the total length of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod 100 may be increased.

Further, when the drill machine starts the drill, pressured clean water may be injected into the empty space between the hollow drill pipe 1 and the hollow sleeve 2. With the rotation of the hollow sleeve 2, the clean water follows along the spiral connection line 4 and is transported to the drill head. Thus, the drill head may be cleaned by water. The spiral connection line 4 may help increase the water pressure and conduct the water. Further, the spiral connection line 4 may also help fixate the hollow sleeve 2. The internal chamber of the hollow sleeve 2 may serve as waste disposing channel. During the cleaning of the drill head, a pumping device in the drill machine may pump dirty water from the drill head to the hollow sleeve 2 of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod 100, the dirty water is therefore discharged.

The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may solve clogging problem that often occurs when using a traditional drilling method on the coal mine floor. Further, traditional complicated procedures to address the clogging problem such as pulling back the drill bit and cleaning the drill bit may be omitted. The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may allow simultaneous implementations of drilling, cleaning, and waste discharge.

The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may provide separate channels for injecting high-pressure water and pumping out dirty mud-water mixture, such that the drill-site cleaning and waste discharge may happen simultaneously. In this way, clogging and collapsing problems may be avoided. Further, the mud, coal dust and rock dust produced during the drilling process may be cleaned out. The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may be used in a wet-type drilling procedure for anchoring and supporting coal mine floors.

In some embodiments, the diameter of anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods in coal mines may be less than about 32 mm. This type of small drill apparatus may not be used to realize forward and reverse circulation techniques. In contrast, the forward and reverse circulation techniques are often implemented in traditional reverse circulation drill rigs, which drill holes with relatively large diameter, often more than about 600 mm.

The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may facilitate drilling on the coal mine floor with high efficiency, and enable simultaneous drilling, cleaning and waste discharge. During operation, high-pressure clean water may be used to flush coal powder or rock powder at the drill head and clean the drill head. The dirty water may be pumped out through the hollow sleeve and gathered for centralized processing. The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may solve clogging problem that often occurs when using a traditional drilling method on the coal mine floor. Further, traditional complicated procedures to address the clogging problems such as pulling back the drill bit and cleaning the drill bit may be omitted. The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod may allow simultaneous implementation of drilling, cleaning, and waste discharge, which greatly enhance construction efficiency of anchoring and supporting the coal mine floor. The disclosed anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod has simple structure, high compatibility, and is easy to operate, with a wide range of applications.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for a coal mine floor, comprising: a hollow drill pipe; and a hollow sleeve configured inside the hollow drill pipe, wherein: a front joint is configured at a front end of the hollow drill pipe, a back joint is configured at a back end of the hollow drill pipe, the hollow sleeve is wound with a spiral connection line in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod during drilling, and a spiral-shaped space is formed between the spiral connection line and an inner chamber of the hollow drill pipe.
 2. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod according to claim 1, wherein: a waterproof insertion slot is configured at a back end of the hollow sleeve for connecting a connector or the hollow sleeve of another anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod.
 3. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod according to claim 1, wherein: the front joint is compatible with the back joint for connecting two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods in a head-to-tail.
 4. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod according to claim 3, wherein: the front joint is configured as a bolt with threads on an outer surface; and the back joint is configured as a bolt hole with threads in an inner wall.
 5. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod according to claim 1, the hollow drill pipe further comprising: a first wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the front joint; and a second wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the back joint.
 6. The anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod according to claim 5, wherein: an outer surface of the wrench-compatible segments has a prism shape or a cuboid shape.
 7. A method for using an anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod for a coal mine floor, comprising: configuring the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod, including a hollow drill pipe and a hollow sleeve configured inside the hollow drill pipe, by a process including: connecting a back joint at a back end of the hollow drill pipe with a drill machine, connecting a front joint at a front end of the hollow drill pipe with a drill head, and connecting the hollow sleeve with a pump, injecting pressured clean water to an empty space between the hollow drill pipe and the hollow sleeve, wherein the hollow sleeve is configured such that the clean water follows along a spiral connection line wound around an outer surface of the hollow sleeve and is transported to the drill head for cleaning; and pumping dirty water from the drill head through the hollow sleeve for waste discharge.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: a waterproof insertion slot is configured at a back end of the hollow sleeve for connecting to the pump or the hollow sleeve of another anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod.
 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of installing the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod further comprises: connecting two anchoring and anti-clogging drill rods in a head-to-tail manner by connecting the front joint with the back joint.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: the front joint is configured as a bolt with threads on an outer surface; and the back joint is configured as a bolt hole with threads in an inner wall.
 11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: tightening the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod with a wrench using a first wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the front joint; or tightening the anchoring and anti-clogging drill rod with a wrench using a second wrench-compatible segment configured at a location connecting the back joint.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: an outer surface of the wrench-compatible segments has a prism shape or a cuboid shape. 